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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/10/world/asia/china-wuzhen-theater-festival.html

The town of Wuzhen ,China exemplifies the relationship between culture and development .Each year approximately 7 million tourists come to visit Wuzhen,  a city that encapsulates Chinese culture with its various “performances of value” such as the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, the Wuzhen International Contemporary art exhibition, the Mu Xin Art Museum just to name a few.  The revenue that tourism brings to the town has helped their economy thrive.
This article is relevant because it discusses how cultural wealth can function as an economic advantage for locations.

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http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/12/07/business/07reuters-eu-markets-regulations.html?mtrref=query.nytimes.com&gwh=A1FCD9B288C2FA27FFD5BB81C0C93B4F&gwt=pay
EU lawmakers are getting ready to provide support for a proposal that aims to stimulate the market “for asset and mortgage backed securities.” The objective of this plan is to increase the lending ability of banks while maintaining low levels of risk. (New York Times, 2016) This proposal mandates that “banks will be required to hold between 5 - 10 % of the securitized debt they create” which is intended to prevent lenders from “packaging too risky securities.”
This article reminded me of our discussion of the financial crisis and the risky behavior on behalf of the banks, lenders and financial instruments that were deeply flawed.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/world/europe/marseille-france-tries-to-alter-image-from-rough-to-cultured.html

A city that was once impoverished, plagued by crime, and whose economy suffered as a result of the end of colonialism Marseille, France is working on recreating its image in a way that attracts tourism. This effort begins with the reconstruction of a site that was previously a location for inspection into France, creating a museum.

This article is relevant because it discusses Marseille’s attempt to draw in tourists by marketing itself as the “European Capital of Culture.” This ties into our class discussion on culture and development and how locations attract tourists via performances of value.

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http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/12/02/world/europe/02reuters-britain-eu-slovakia-roma.html?mtrref=query.nytimes.com&gwh=77C260FD790E6413F7D8FC127410A1EC&gwt=pay

In light of Britain’s decision to leave the EU many of the Roma people currently residing in the town of Bystrany, Slovakia fear the prospect of what this will mean for their future. In a town that had once been a blighted area, it began to flourish largely because of the remittances from individuals who attempted to find work in Britain.

This article reminded me of our discussion on migration and remittances, specifically of how monetary remittances have played a significant role in the economic growth as well as enhanced quality of life for individuals back in the home country.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/22/world/americas/stay-or-go-cuban-entrepreneurs-divided-on-where-to-stake-futures.html?mtrref=query.nytimes.com&gwh=ACE56F84C6FE31F91F3E79ABE3B21435&gwt=pay

The strides that Cuba is making towards adopting a more market driven economy has resulted in many young Cuban entrepreneurs deciding to stay in Cuba. Despite being a communist country, these millennials are encouraged to remain in Cuba adding that “there’s an extremely powerful emerging market right now.”

This article reminded of our discussion of the concept Brain Drain. Brain drain occurs when many of the brightest and skilled individuals from a country emigrate because they perceive better opportunities elsewhere. While many leave the country, some of the young entrepreneurs are choosing to stay and are optimistic about the economy.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/02/business/international/oecd-economic-growth.html
According to the O.E.C.D. the economy is currently experiencing a “low growth trap” that is the result of a culmination of factors such as low interest rates on behalf of the the financial institutions, low consumer spending and the hesitancy of businesses to invest. To combat this “low growth trap” the O.E.C.D. recommends that the government increase its spending in areas that foster growth such as “education and infrastructure”.

This article is relevant because it is discuses principles that are central in Keynesian economics such as low interest rates and increase government spending.

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http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/10/16/world/americas/16reuters-un-landrights-cities.html

The central problematic that is to be addressed at the U.N. Summit is urbanization, and the problems associated with this process such as “increased inequality, expanding slums, unsustainable infrastructure, unaffordable housing, lack of property rights for slum dwellers, job and space for new arrivals”. (NY Times, 2016)

This article is relevant because it talks about how the U.N. plans to confront these problems and effectively manage the urban areas. This article reminds me of the UN Development Goals reading because it identifies the issues related to urbanization and recognizes the importance creating a sustainable living environment especially for urban areas.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37357657

The president of Brazil has publicized a plan to stimulate economic growth and increase jobs in an attempt to remedy the budget deficit it currently faces.  This plan encourages the privatization of airports, port terminals and in addition provides contracts to private enterprises for infrastructure related developments.

This article reminded me of the Washington Consensus because it discusses the need for privatization in order to maintain economic stability.  The central claim in this article is that the government alone is not sufficient in achieving economic prosperity and therefore the need for  private enterprises is imperative to ensure growth and development.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/world/europe/denmark-world-happiness-report.html

Findings from the World Happiness report suggest that there is an empirical association between inequality and unhappiness. Scholars accounted for the disparity amongst countries with variables such as GDP, healthy years of life expectancy, social support, trust, perceived freedom and generosity.

This article reminds me of the Beyond GDP article because it discusses the problem with defining development in terms of economic growth, and highlights other ways that development can be measured in terms of happiness, inequality, overall focusing more on the social/emotional aspects of the individuals rather than purely economic.

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Post #1(October 14,2016)-- US and Cuba relations

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Post #1(October 14,2016)-- US and Cuba relations

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/15/world/americas/obama-cuba-trade-embargo.html?_r=0

The President recently issued an act that is designed to improve the relationship between the United States and Cuba. In an effort to remove the “cold war trade embargo” the president dismantled the 100$ restriction that was previously placed on Cuban imported goods such as cigars and rum. This is significant because it symbolizes a new direction for US policy in relation to Cuba.

This article is relevant because it highlights neoclassical/ Hayekian inspired concepts such as trade liberalization( removing barriers to trade) which is something that we frequently discussed in class.